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Now what in all these objects of desire is the fundamental
making them good?
We must be bold:
Intellectual-Principle and that life are of the order of good and
hold their desirability, even they, in virtue of belonging to
that order; they have their goodness, I mean, because Life is an
Activity in The Good,- Or rather, streaming from The Good- while
Intellectual-Principle is an Activity already defined Therein;
both are of radiant beauty and, because they come Thence and lead
Thither, they are sought after by the soul-sought, that is, as
things congenial though not veritably good while yet, as
belonging to that order not to be rejected; the related, if not
good, is shunned in spite of that relationship, and even remote
and ignobler things may at times prove attractive.
The intense love called forth by Life and Intellectual-Principle
is due not to what they are but to the consideration of their
nature as something apart, received from above themselves.
Material forms, containing light incorporated in them, need still
a light apart from them that their own light may be manifest;
just so the Beings of that sphere, all lightsome, need another
and a lordlier light or even they would not be visible to
themselves and beyond.
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